10 Best Online History Degrees for Budding Historians
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An online history degree takes you back in time to explore world-changing events, themes, and people. You’ll learn to view events from a historical and cultural perspective while examining their effects and contexts. You can specialize in the geographic areas or time periods that interest you the most.
An undergraduate degree in history prepares you for a variety of career paths. You can work an entry-level history-related position, attend graduate school, or pursue an interdisciplinary career. To help get you started, here are some of the benefits of an online history degree, followed by our rankings of the best online history degree programs.
Reasons to Get an Online History Degree
- An online degree in history offers flexibility, allowing you to study whenever and wherever you want.
- Online learning accommodates a variety of schedules by offering accelerated, part-time, and asynchronous delivery.
- You’ll have access to more schools and programs, helping you find the most suitable curriculum, faculty, and support services.
- Online programs may lead to cost savings through limited travel and lower tuition rates.
- Online history degree programs may bring together a more diverse global student body, which can improve classroom perspectives and networking possibilities.
Did You Know…
In 2019-2020, 8% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded were in the social sciences and history disciplines, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Online History Programs
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Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
Florida International University
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled58,836
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled71,881
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,791
- Out-of-state$14,791
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled93,349
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,273
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled45,601
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,846
- Out-of-state$29,445
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled32,312
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Portales, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,074
- Out-of-state$6,114
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled5,266
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Buena Vista University
- Storm Lake, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,426
- Out-of-state$36,426
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled1,863
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,800
- Out-of-state$23,840
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled22,986
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Ottawa University-Surprise
- Surprise, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,000
- Out-of-state$28,000
- Retention Rate47%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled831
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled10,979
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
How Accreditation Works for a History Degree Online
When pursuing an online history degree, you should always check for accreditation. Institutional accreditation provides quality assurance for your degree and ensures you’ll have access to federal financial aid.
Online history degree programs don’t typically have programmatic accreditation. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation do not recognize any programmatic accrediting organizations in the history discipline.
As long as your bachelor’s program is offered by an accredited institution, you’re good to go!
What Courses Do You Take for an Online History Degree?
The courses you take for an online history degree can vary depending on your areas of interest.
Many bachelor’s programs in history require you to study a broad array of cultures and eras, using tools from fields like sociology, anthropology, political science, gender studies, and economics to examine the impact of and relationships between different historical events.
You’ll likely take multiple classes on U.S. history, though often you can customize your coursework to focus on a specific geographic area and/or time period.
Many schools offer a huge swath of history courses. Here are some common classes you might take for your online history degree:
- African history
- Civil rights era
- Civil War and Reconstruction
- Colonial America
- East Asian civilizations
- History of Western civilization
- Latin American history
- Medieval Europe
- Middle Eastern history
- Native American history
- Roman Empire
- World War II
Did You Know…
There were 3,300 active historians across the country in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Jobs You Can Get With an Online Degree in History
As of 2019, more than 1.1 million working professionals hold a history degree, according to the BLS.
A bachelor’s in history can prepare you for entry-level museum positions and teaching roles. A history degree also provides you with essential soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. This foundation should allow you to explore many non-history-related careers.
After getting your online history degree, you may want to get a graduate degree to develop a specialization and advance your historical research and analysis skills. A master’s or doctoral degree in history could qualify you as a historian, archivist, or college professor.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologists | $63,800 | 4% | Master’s |
| Archivists | $59,910 | 10% | Master’s |
| Curators | $61,750 | 10% | Master’s |
| High School Teachers | $65,220 | 1% | Bachelor’s |
| Historians | $72,890 | 3% | Master’s |
| History Professors | $82,140 | 1% | Doctorate |
| Librarians and Library Media Specialists | $64,370 | 3% | Master’s |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $48,670 | 10% | Bachelor’s |
| Political Scientists | $132,350 | 7% | Master’s |
| Writers and Authors | $73,690 | 4% | Bachelor’s |
Source: BLS
Q&A With a Real Online History Student
Q: What is the best thing about earning a history degree online?
“One huge benefit of distance learning is that it makes it possible for me to attend school and still work normal hours. The option to finish my degree online was one of the main reasons that I chose my college. … The biggest benefit has been the ability to fit school into my already busy work and family schedules.”— Brittney B., Online BA in History
Q: What role has technology played in your online history program?
“Technology is just as important as [the] curriculum. I love the convenience of online classes, but the presentation and access has to work in order for the class to be beneficial. The Blackboard platform that we use has been great in this respect. … I plan to continue my education using online classes.”— Brittney B.
Q: Has your online history degree helped prepare you for life after graduation?
“I think that the modern workplace is centered on employees’ ability to be technologically literate. … The ability to learn new programs and remain flexible is something that is important to employers and makes an employee more marketable. To be successful in business, you have to evolve continually. I think distance learning is one way to keep up with the demands of the workplace.”— Brittney B.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online History Degrees
Can you earn a history degree online?
Yes, many schools let you earn a history degree online. History programs work well in an online learning environment because these degrees doesn’t require fieldwork and practicums. Instead, history degrees emphasize research and theoretical components, which students can learn and discuss without being in a classroom.
How fast can you get a history degree?
The length of an online degree in history depends on the level, school, and student. In general, associate degrees take about two years, bachelor’s degrees take about four years, and master’s degrees take about two years. A doctorate in history can take anywhere from four to seven years to complete.
An accelerated online history program can reduce the time to earn your degree if you can manage the heavier course load.
Can you get a good job with a history degree?
Yes. A history degree gives you access to many prestigious and desirable positions. According to the BLS, more than 45% of history graduates work in educational institutions, management occupations, or the legal field.
Are history teachers in demand?
The demand for history teachers varies by level and region. The BLS projects employment for teachers to remain relatively steady over the next decade with only 1% growth jobs between 2022 and 2032. For postsecondary history teachers, the BLS projects a 8% growth during that same period.
Is a history degree worth it?
Many students will find an online degree in history very worthwhile. A degree in history is essential for aspiring historians, museum curators, and history teachers.
History programs can equip you with valuable life and soft skills. You’ll learn how our society has grown and developed, how to communicate effectively, and how to research and solve problems.
Next Steps
Shape your future with an online degree
Connect with a community of peers, and find a program that will allow you to continue your education in a fast and flexible way.